'Wrong code delayed Merkel flight'

The pilot, who flew the new Airbus A340-300 of the German government, has apparently entered an incorrect call signal code while communicating with Iranian air traffic controllers, IRNA quoted Salehi as saying on Wednesday.
He pointed out that as soon as the technical problem was removed, the plane continued its path and flew over Iran.
The remarks echoed earlier comments by Iranian Ambassador to Berlin Alireza Sheikh-Attar, who told Press TV on Tuesday that a technical glitch was behind the delay of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's flight to India.
“When I asked Iranian aviation authorities, I was told that the so-called call signal that pilots usually give to (air traffic control) towers as a code for entering was a false one. It was actually for the return route not for entry. Because of this mistake they could not enter,” he said.
Sheikh-Attar dismissed reports that “political” intentions had triggered the issue. “This type of event sometimes happens in many countries. Maybe certain media [outlets] want to intensify the situation between Iran and the West,” he pointed out.
The Iranian envoy emphasized that the problem with the erroneous call signal broadcast by Merkel's plane was resolved in 20 minutes and the German chancellor was able to continue her flight to India.
01/06/11 PressTV

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Foreign Jun 2011